Delhi government has no role in Games menu: Dikshit

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday clarified that the state government has no role to play as far as deciding the menu or serving of beef during the Commonwealth Games is concerned.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday clarified that the state government has no role to play as far as deciding the menu or serving of beef during the Commonwealth Games is concerned.

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Dikshit tabled in the assembly a signed clarification issued by state Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta which says that the issue of supplying beef is between the Organising Committee and the contractor who is selected for running the kitchen in the Games Village.

Dikshit also clarified that it is the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) which is supposed to give permission under the municipal laws.

"I had made it clear that Delhi government has nothing to do with it," Dikshit said.

Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led MCD warned of legal action against officials and hotels if beef was imported or served to foreign visitors during the Commonwealth Games.

"As per a resolution passed by the MCD house in January last year, foreign visitors during the Commonwealth Games should not be served cow meat. This is in tune with the Delhi government's Delhi Agricultural Animal Protection Act, 1994," Leader of the MCD house Subhash Arya had said.

Under the Delhi Agricultural Animal Protection Act, slaughtering cows and possession or import of beef is strictly prohibited.